FCS lands new title sponsor, changes name from Champs Sports to Russell Athletic Bowl

Iliana Limón Romero | Orlando Sentinel

One of Orlando’s major bowl games has changed title sponsors, shifting from the Champs Sports Bowl to the Russell Athletic Bowl.

The 2012 Russell Athletic Bowl will be played at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 28 at Florida Citrus Bowl Stadium. The game featuring teams from Atlantic Coast and Big East conferences will be broadcast live nationally on ESPN.

Under terms of the agreement, Russell Athletic will be the exclusive apparel partner of Florida Citrus Sports. It will provide apparel and merchandise for all of FCS properties -- including the Russell Athletic Bowl, Capital One Bowl and Fresh From Florida Parade. Russell Athletic has also committed to working with Florida Citrus Sports to help negotiate the new conference bowl agreements after the current conference affiliations expire following 2013 games.

“As a brand whose heritage is so deeply rooted in college football, it is a natural fit for Russell Athletic to partner with FCSports for the Russell Athletic Bowl,” Russell Brands executive vice president Gary Barfield stated in a bowl news release.

Florida Citrus Sports worked with Denver-based Impression Sports & Entertainment president Chris Foy to reach the new agreement with Russell Athletic.

“We are honored to add Russell Athletic as a bowl title sponsor and business partner through the 2015 season,” Florid Citrus Sports CEO Steve Hogan stated in a bowl news release.

Previous title sponsor Champs Sports will continue its relationship with Florida Citrus Sports as an official partner of both the Russell Athletic Bowl and the Capital One Bowl through 2014.

The newly named Russell Athletic Bowl is starting its 23rd overall year and 12th in Orlando. Last year's high-profile game between Florida State and Notre Dame generated the bowl's first sellout and highest attendance in Orlando with 68,305 watching the Seminoles' comeback win. Another six million people watched the game on ESPN.